Please note: The 2025–2026 Student Code of Conduct is currently under review and subject to updates. Finalized version will be posted soon.
Student Code of Conduct
- General Information
- Responsibilities
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Levels of Student Misbehaviors and Corrective Actions
- Assignments and Appeal Processes for DAEP Placements and Expulsions
- Student Dress Code
- Technology Regulation
- Volunteer Guidelines
- Assistance for Students with Learning Differences
- Extracurricular Activities
- Arlington ISD Departmental Supports
- Drug and Alcohol Counseling Options
- Attendance
- Threat Assessments
- School Safety Transfers
- Notices
- Definitions
Disciplinary Alternative Education Placements (DAEP)
Level One
When a student has been accused of violating the Student Code of Conduct in a manner which could result in an assignment to a DAEP, a written notice of the alleged violation and notification of a conference with the assistant principal will be provided to the student’s parent or guardian. The notice will contain the names of the adult witnesses and the evidence to be used by the administration in the conference. The student/parent will be notified of the right to bring an attorney or other representative. If the student will be represented, the parent or guardian shall notify the assistant principal as soon as possible and at least 24 hours in advance so that the district may have its attorney present or other representative present. The conference will be informal. The school administration will present information about the violation, its investigation and any recommended academic placement. The student and parent may present any relevant information. At the conclusion of the Level One DAEP hearing, the assistant principal will make a determination regarding the student’s academic placement.
If it is determined that the student should be assigned to a DAEP, the assistant principal shall set the term of the assignment. The student shall be placed in the assignment and the assignment shall be enforced during the appeal process.
If the information shows that the student did not violate the Student Code of Conduct as alleged, the student will remain in the regular placement.
A student may be placed in on-school suspension or CHOICES pending an investigation and Level One DAEP hearing.
Level Two
The parent may request a review of the assistant principal’s decision. Such requests should be made to the principal within three school days of receipt of the assistant principal’s decision. Within five school days from receiving the request for review, a Level Two DAEP hearing will be scheduled. At the Level Two DAEP hearing, the assistant principal will present information regarding the placement. The student and parent may give relevant information. Within three school days of the Level Two DAEP hearing, a decision shall be made and communicated to the student and parent, either to maintain the removal, reinstate the student in school, or take other appropriate corrective action.
Level Three
The parent may request a review of the principal’s decision to the Administrative Appeal Panel. Such requests should be made to the Chief Operations Officer at 690 E. Lamar Blvd. Arlington, TX 76011 within three school days of receipt of the principal’s decision. Within five school days from receiving the request for review, a Level Three DAEP hearing will be scheduled and held with the Administrative Appeal Panel. The Panel consists of two central office administrators who have no knowledge of the incident. Their decisions are independent, with the full authority to overturn or modify the principal’s DAEP assignment decision. At this Level Three DAEP hearing, a school representative will present information regarding the placement. The student and parent may give relevant information. Within three school days of the Level Three DAEP hearing with the Panel, a decision shall be made and communicated to the student and parent, either to maintain the removal, reinstate the student in school or to take other appropriate corrective action. The Panel’s decision shall be communicated to the student and parent within three school days.
Level Four
The parent may appeal an adverse decision of the Administrative Appeal Panel to the Board of Trustees. Within three school days from the receipt of the Panel’s decision, the parent may request a Level Four Board conference before the Board of Trustees. The request should be sent to the Superintendent at 690 E. Lamar Blvd. Arlington, TX 76011. Prior to the Board conference, the parents shall meet informally with the Superintendent to discuss the situation. After the meeting, if a Level Four Board conference is still requested, the Superintendent shall, within five school days, send a notice containing the time, place and date of the Board meeting during which Level Four Board conference will be held.
At the Level Four Board conference, no new evidence shall be presented. The Level Four Board conference will be in a closed meeting unless the parents request an open meeting. The Board may determine to either maintain the removal, reinstate the student in school, or take any other action it deems appropriate. The decision of the Board is final.
At any level, the parent may be represented by counsel or other representative. Parents are asked to notify the district in advance of the hearing if they have representation, so the district may also have its counsel present. Failure to timely notify of a representative may result in a delay of the process.
Expulsion
Level One
When a student is accused of having committed an expellable offense, a Level One hearing before the principal shall be held. At this Level One hearing, a determination will be made regarding the recommendation for expulsion. The Level One hearing shall be held within seven school days from the date of the offense or the date it is determined that the student allegedly committed the offense. This time can be extended upon request of the parent and consent by the school. The student and the parents shall be notified of the date, time and place of the Level One hearing at least three school days prior to the Level One hearing to give the student a reasonable opportunity to prepare for the Level One hearing.
When necessary to ensure communication, notices will be sent in the language spoken by the parent.
Prior to the Level One hearing, the student will be given written notice that includes:
- The charges and the proposed sanctions.
- The names of all adult witnesses and the nature of their testimony.
- The student’s right to representation. The student shall notify the school if a representative will be present.
- The student’s right to examine the school’s evidence and question the adult witnesses.
- The student’s right to testify, or/and present witnesses and evidence. Parental permission is required for any student witness younger than 18 to testify.
At the Level One hearing before the principal, the school administration will present witnesses and evidence that supports the proposed expulsion. The student’s representative may question any adult witnesses. Following the school’s presentation, the student may present witnesses and evidence. The school may question the student’s witnesses. The principal may ask questions for clarification. In the event that the principal cannot preside over the Level One hearing, a central office administrator may hear the case.
The Level One hearing is informal. Rules of evidence do not apply. Hearsay is admissible; the principal or their designee can assign the proper weight to hearsay evidence. There is no right to subpoena witnesses at this conference. Documents may be obtained in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act or FERPA depending on the circumstances. The Level One hearing will be audio recorded. Upon request, a copy of the audio recording will be provided to the student at no charge.
The principal shall make a decision based only on the information presented in the Level One hearing. The decision shall be communicated to the student and the parent within three school days. The expulsion shall be enforced during the appeal process.
Pending the Level One hearing on the expulsion, a student may be placed in out of school suspension and receive assignments for credit. The student is not allowed to appear on any AISD campus or property or to participate in school-sponsored events on or off campus. If the decision is made that the student is not guilty of the offense, the student’s record shall be expunged.
Level Two
The parent may request a Level Two hearing to appeal the principal’s expulsion decision to the Administrative Appeal Panel. Such requests should be made to the Chief Operations Officer at 690 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX 76011 within three school days of receipt of the principal’s decision. Within five school days from receiving the request for appeal, a Level Two hearing will be scheduled and held with the Administrative Appeal Panel. The Panel consists of two central office administrators who have no knowledge of the incident. Their decisions are independent, with the full authority to overturn or modify the principal’s expulsion decision. The procedural rules at the Level One hearing will also apply to the Level Two hearing. The Panel’s decision shall be communicated to the student and parent within three school days after the Level Two hearing.
Level Three
The parent may appeal an adverse decision of the Administrative Appeal Panel to the Board of Trustees. Within three school days from the receipt of the Panel’s decision, the parent may request a Level Three Board hearing before the Board of Trustees. The request should be sent to the Superintendent at 690 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX 76011.
Prior to the Level Three Board hearing, the parents shall meet informally with the Superintendent to discuss the situation. After the meeting, if a Level Three Board hearing is still requested, the Superintendent shall, within five school days, send a notice containing the time, place and date of the Board meeting during which Level Three Board hearing will be held.
At the Level Three Board hearing, no new evidence shall be presented. A transcript of the Level Two hearing before the Administrative Appeal Panel shall be presented to the Board of Trustees prior to the Level Three Board hearing. A copy of this transcript shall be provided to the parent. At the Level Three Board hearing, the parent and the school district may each make a ten-minute statement to the Board. The Board shall base its decision on the evidence contained in the record and the statements made by the parties.
The Level Three Board hearing will be in a closed meeting unless the parents request an open meeting. The Board may determine to either maintain the expulsion, reinstate the student in AISD, or take any other action it deems appropriate.
An appeal of the Board’s decision to uphold the expulsion is made to State District Court.
